Dolphins in Saint-Barthelemy
Magical encounters with the acrobats of the Caribbean seas
The crystal-clear waters of Saint-Barthelemy are home to several dolphin species year-round, offering visitors and residents the opportunity for unforgettable encounters with these intelligent and playful marine mammals. Unlike humpback whales that are only present a few months per year, dolphins are permanent residents or regular visitors of the Caribbean waters surrounding the island.
Observed alone, in small groups, or in impressive pods that can number several dozen individuals, Saint-Barth dolphins delight with their natural curiosity, spectacular acrobatics, and apparent joy of living. Their regular presence testifies to the exceptional quality of the island waters and the richness of its marine ecosystem.
Observable Dolphin Species
Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Stenella attenuata
Frequency: Very common, present year-round
Size: 1.60 to 2.60 meters
Weight: 90 to 120 kg
Identification: Gray coat with characteristic light spots that increase with age. Elongated beak, falcate dorsal fin. Adults can have hundreds of spots.
Behavior: Extremely acrobatic, performs spectacular jumps (bow-riding), surfs on waves created by boats. Groups of 5 to 50 individuals, sometimes up to 200.
Particularity: This is the most curious species and the most likely to approach boats to play in their wake.
Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
Frequency: Common, permanent resident
Size: 2 to 3.80 meters
Weight: 150 to 650 kg
Identification: Robust body, uniform gray, short but distinct beak, large curved dorsal fin. The most familiar dolphin, star of aquariums.
Behavior: Very intelligent and social. Groups of 2 to 15 individuals. Hunts in coordination, uses complex sounds to communicate. Can live 40 to 50 years.
Particularity: The best-studied species. Each individual has a unique signature whistle, like a "name". Complex social structure with strong family bonds.
Spinner Dolphin
Stenella longirostris
Frequency: Regular, especially in deep waters
Size: 1.30 to 2.35 meters
Weight: 45 to 75 kg
Identification: Very long and thin beak, slender body, three color bands (dark gray on back, light gray on sides, white on belly). Triangular dorsal fin.
Behavior: Champion of acrobatics! Performs spectacular spinning jumps (up to 7 rotations on itself). Hunts at night in deep water, rests near coasts during the day.
Particularity: Its aerial rotations are unique in the dolphin world and remain partly mysterious to scientists.
Fraser's Dolphin
Lagenodelphis hosei
Frequency: Occasional, in deep waters
Size: 2 to 2.70 meters
Weight: 160 to 210 kg
Identification: Stocky body, short snout, characteristic dark lateral band from eye to anus. Distinct three-tone coloration.
Behavior: Very gregarious, forms huge groups (sometimes over 1000 individuals). Fast and energetic swimming. Less inclined to approach boats.
Particularity: Long considered rare, it was discovered that it was simply discreet and preferred deep waters.
Differences from Whales
Although dolphins and whales are both cetaceans, several differences distinguish them: dolphins are present year-round (vs seasonal whale migration), they are smaller in size (2-4m vs 12-16m), have teeth (vs baleen for humpback whales), are more social and playful, willingly approach boats, perform frequent acrobatic jumps, and live in permanent groups called "pods". Dolphins actively hunt in our waters (fish, squid) while whales fast during their Caribbean stay.
Where and When to Observe Dolphins
Best Period
Unlike whales, dolphins are present year-round around Saint-Barth. However, certain periods offer increased observation opportunities.
December - April (High Season)
Calm sea, excellent visibility. More sea excursions so more reported observations. Dolphins often accompanied by whales.
May - November (Low Season)
Dolphins still present but fewer observations as fewer boats at sea. Advantage: groups less disturbed, more natural behaviors.
Best time of day
Morning (7am-11am): calm sea, dolphins active after night hunting. Late afternoon (4pm-6pm): peak activity before night, perfect golden light for photos.
Best Spots
At sea (best option)
- • Channel between St-Barth and St-Martin: Privileged passage area, deep waters
- • North of the island (Fourchue, Pain de Sucre): Resident groups, rocky bottoms rich in fish
- • Atlantic coast (Toiny, Grand Fond): Dolphins hunting near the drop-offs
- • Colombier - Flamands: Protected area, frequent observations
From the coast (rare but possible)
- • Colombier (trail): Overlooking view, dolphins sometimes passing very close
- • Toiny: Deep waters close to shore
- • Pointe Milou: Observation with binoculars
- • Shell Beach - Gustavia: Dolphins sometimes entering the harbor
Signs of presence:
- • Dorsal fins cutting through the surface
- • Jumps and acrobatics visible from a distance
- • Gathering of seabirds (common fishing)
- • Water churning (group hunting)
Fascinating Anecdotes
Personal "names": the signature whistle
Bottlenose dolphins have a unique whistle they develop in the first months of life and keep their entire existence. This "signature whistle" functions like a name: dolphins use it to identify themselves to their peers, and can even "call" a specific individual by reproducing their whistle. Even more fascinating, mothers "sing" their baby's whistle during the weeks following birth, thus helping it memorize its own "name". In Saint-Barth, researchers have recorded and catalogued the signatures of several resident dolphins.
Half-awake sleep
Dolphins never sleep completely! They practice "unihemispheric sleep": one half of their brain stays awake while the other rests, then roles switch. This extraordinary adaptation allows them to continue breathing consciously (they must regularly surface to breathe, unlike fish), monitor potential predators and maintain group cohesion. A dolphin can thus "sleep" while swimming slowly alongside its pod. This peculiarity explains why dolphins can be observed active 24/7 in Saint-Barth waters.
Caribbean surfers
Saint-Barthelemy dolphins are true surf enthusiasts! They love riding natural waves but especially the bow of boats (bow-riding). This behavior is not just for fun: it allows them to save a lot of energy by riding the bow wave while maintaining their speed. Pantropical spotted dolphins are the absolute champions of this discipline, performing synchronized acrobatic figures. Some regular skippers report recognizing individual dolphins that regularly come to "surf" with their boat, returning year after year.
Complex communication and transmitted culture
Dolphins possess an extraordinarily complex communication system: whistles, clicks (echolocation), body postures, and even "grammar" in the order of sounds. Studies have shown that different dolphin pods develop specific "dialects", like local cultures. In Saint-Barth, certain observed hunting techniques (coordinated fish school herding, using sand from the bottom to stun prey) are taught from mother to calf, constituting a form of cultural transmission. Young dolphins spend years learning these sophisticated techniques.
Dolphins and humans: a thousand-year history
The mutual fascination between dolphins and humans has been documented since Antiquity. In Saint-Barthelemy, many testimonies report spontaneous interactions: dolphins escorting struggling swimmers to shore, playing with children in shallow waters, or "dancing" for extended periods alongside sailboats. These behaviors seem motivated by genuine curiosity. Some biologists think dolphins perceive our developed cerebral capacities and consider us as interesting beings. Conversely, several cases document dolphins seeking help from divers to free themselves from nets or hooks, demonstrating a remarkable form of inter-species understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim with dolphins in Saint-Barth?
Regulations on swimming with dolphins are less strict than for whales, but remain supervised. In Saint-Barthelemy, there is no commercial "swimming with dolphins" program (unlike some neighboring islands), which is positive for animal welfare. If dolphins spontaneously approach swimmers or divers, interaction can occur naturally, but actively pursuing them is prohibited. The most magical encounters are always those where dolphins themselves choose to interact. Respecting their choice ensures authentic and ethical experiences.
What is the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise?
Although both are toothed cetaceans, dolphins and porpoises differ in several ways: dolphins have a prominent beak (rostrum) while porpoises have a rounded snout, dolphins have conical pointed teeth vs flat shovel-shaped teeth for porpoises, dolphins are generally larger and more slender, more social and vocal, and finally, dolphins are present in the Caribbean but not porpoises who prefer colder waters. In Saint-Barth, you will only see dolphins.
Are dolphins really intelligent?
Yes, dolphins are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. Their brain is larger than ours in proportion to body size, with a highly developed cerebral cortex. Demonstrated abilities: self-recognition in a mirror (sign of self-awareness), tool use (sponges to protect their rostrum), understanding syntax and grammar in human commands, cultural transmission of techniques, empathy and altruism towards other species, complex creativity and play, very long-term social memory. Some scientists believe they possess a form of "culture" comparable to that of primates.
How fast can a dolphin swim?
Dolphins are exceptionally fast and efficient swimmers. Normal cruising speed: 5-11 km/h. Speed during bow-riding (surfing on the bow): up to 30 km/h effortlessly. Maximum sprint speed: 40-50 km/h for bottlenose dolphins, up to 60 km/h for some smaller species. Their perfect hydrodynamism, elastic skin that reduces turbulence, and swimming technique using vertical undulations allow them to achieve these remarkable performances while consuming little energy. That is why they can play for hours in the wake of fast boats around Saint-Barth.
How do dolphins hunt?
Dolphins use sophisticated and coordinated hunting techniques. Echolocation: emission of ultrasonic clicks to "see" with sound, locating prey and obstacles in murky water or at night. Cooperative hunting: encircling fish schools by several dolphins who take turns feeding. "Mud-ring feeding": using sand clouds to trap and disorient fish. Wave hunting: pushing fish toward the beach then voluntary beaching to catch them. In Saint-Barth, dolphins are frequently observed hunting in groups at sunrise and sunset, times of greatest fish activity.
How long can a dolphin stay underwater?
Dolphins must regularly surface to breathe because they are mammals, not fish. Normal time underwater: 3 to 7 minutes during normal activities. Maximum breath-hold: 15 to 20 minutes for some species in stress or deep hunting situations. Breathing rate: 2 to 3 breaths per minute at surface during active periods. Particularity: dolphins can "hyperventilate" before a deep dive, taking several rapid breaths to saturate their blood with oxygen. Their breathing efficiency is remarkable: they exchange 80% of the air in their lungs at each breath (vs 17% for humans).
Responsible and Ethical Observation
Enjoying the presence of dolphins while respecting their well-being
Good practices by boat:
- Never actively pursue a group of dolphins
- Let dolphins approach on their own if they wish
- Maintain constant and predictable speed (no sudden acceleration)
- Do not encircle or separate a group
- Limit observation time to 30 minutes maximum
- Cut the engine if dolphins are very close
In the water:
- Never actively swim toward dolphins
- Stay calm and passive if dolphins approach
- Do not touch, even if the animal seems interested
- Avoid sudden movements and shouting
- Do not use underwater flash photography
Signs of stress in dolphins:
- Sudden change of direction
- Increased swimming speed
- Group dispersal
- Interruption of hunting or resting behaviors
- Repeated tail slapping (sign of annoyance)
If you observe these signs, move away immediately and calmly.